Thanks for your always poignant reflections! Your vision of the pebble and description of “Two Horses” are both especially powerful. I hope that the episode that led you to the vision of the pebble has passed, and that it left you more resilient in its wake.
My one constructively critical comment is where you describe “2023 [as] the year we waited to see what would happen next year,” and suggest that “we won’t know exactly...whether [recent events] were good or bad for another decade or two, when the historians look back and piece the story together.”
On the one hand, our civilization is sadly besieged by ignorance, both with respect to its own past, our present, and the future we all share. Yet the influence of 2023 on the future of humanity is in no way ambiguous.
From corruption & dysfunction in Congress to routine & recurring failures by co-opted editors who effectively govern the press establishment, and from Washington’s relentless militarism and international belligerence to the weaponized disinformation that enables it, 2023 leaves an unfortunately awful legacy that portends only mounting crises to come.
I'm breathless after reading this. I want to tell you to Be Careful, but maybe that's not what we pebbles need right now.
Happy New Year Laura! Your writing drives into 2024 like a powerful steed.
Happy New Year, Laura
Here is to an awesome 2024!
Thanks for your always poignant reflections! Your vision of the pebble and description of “Two Horses” are both especially powerful. I hope that the episode that led you to the vision of the pebble has passed, and that it left you more resilient in its wake.
My one constructively critical comment is where you describe “2023 [as] the year we waited to see what would happen next year,” and suggest that “we won’t know exactly...whether [recent events] were good or bad for another decade or two, when the historians look back and piece the story together.”
On the one hand, our civilization is sadly besieged by ignorance, both with respect to its own past, our present, and the future we all share. Yet the influence of 2023 on the future of humanity is in no way ambiguous.
From corruption & dysfunction in Congress to routine & recurring failures by co-opted editors who effectively govern the press establishment, and from Washington’s relentless militarism and international belligerence to the weaponized disinformation that enables it, 2023 leaves an unfortunately awful legacy that portends only mounting crises to come.
My year end recap was not nearly as artful as your’s, but it does highlight a series of moments that help reveal the compounding crises confronting (whatever passes for) democracy in America. https://shahidbuttar.substack.com/p/a-year-to-rememberor-perhaps-to-forget
Looking forward to reading more of your writing in the new year!
That was good! Cohesive and free-form at once. Keep us informed when you decide on your next perch so I can send you some money.
go get 'em!
Love you Laura, have fun at those parties ✨
And you as well!